Southeast : CASINO COMPETITION

Word that Hawaiian Gardens voters want their own card club has perked up some ears at Hollywood Park in Inglewood.

Hollywood Park officials have sent a check for $10,000 to pay for a card club license in Hawaiian Gardens, as well as $2,500 for a requisite background check. Company officials could not be reached for comment.

But city officials question whether the Southern California gambling giant has much of a chance to obtain a card club license. For one thing, an ordinance approved by voters in November restricts the club to an undeveloped part of the city already owned by Irving Moskowitz, owner of the city’s only bingo parlor and, officially at least, the lone applicant to run the card club.

A Hollywood Park official criticized the ordinance’s zoning restrictions, but said negotiations with the city’s redevelopment agency could secure real estate for the club. He also said company officials had requested a specific application for a card club license but were told that none existed.

Hawaiian Gardens City Clerk Domenic Ruggeri said he suspects the Hollywood Park action is just an effort to stall Moskowitz’s bid to open the club. He added that Hollywood Park’s request consisted of a blank business license application form and documentation regarding its Inglewood casino.

Ruggeri said the City Council would have to determine who would be allowed to operate the casino if more than one complete application is received. A second card club license would be issued only after officials have studied the first club’s operation and benefits to the city, he said.